Students
FOAR7002 – Research Frontiers
2021 – Full year 1, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Kirstin Mills
Contact via Email
Room B710, Level 7, 25 Wally's Walk
By appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
20
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Research Frontiers 1 will expose Bachelor of Philosophy students to the range of topics that are currently dominating their chosen disciplines and the Humanities and Social Sciences more broadly, as well as equip them with the skills to critically appraise the research trends defining research in their area of study. Students will acquire disciplinary knowledge at a high level and learn how research is carried out in the disciplinary area of their choice so that by the end of the course they can demonstrate competence in articulating and applying key research skills in their field. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Explain the relevant research questions and approaches to research in their chosen discipline area.
- ULO2: Apply a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills in the preparation of a portfolio documenting their learning.
- ULO3: Use well developed judgement to responsibly ask research questions.
- ULO4: Provide evidence of the ability to be an independent learner.
General Assessment Information
Please consult the FOAR7002 iLearn site for the most recent and accurate assessment information.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio Project | 70% | No | Ongoing (around the end of each semester) |
| Seminar attendance and reflections | 30% | No | Ongoing (around the end of each semester) |
Portfolio Project
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 230 hours
Due: Ongoing (around the end of each semester)
Weighting: 70%
Written reflective or critical tasks as per Department specifications (detailed on the iLearn site). (These assessment tasks total 60% of the final unit grade)
An end-of-year poster presentation drawing on examples from the student’s e-portfolio to reflect on how the entire experience has impacted upon and advanced the student’s learning and thinking around their research topic. (Weighting: 10% of the final unit grade)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills in the preparation of a portfolio documenting their learning.
- Use well developed judgement to responsibly ask research questions.
- Provide evidence of the ability to be an independent learner.
Seminar attendance and reflections
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Ongoing (around the end of each semester)
Weighting: 30%
Students will be assessed on their attendance at, and reflections of, 12 seminars. Students will log attendance in their portfolio by submitting a reflective account of 300-500 words in length for each of the 12 seminars attended which references at least one related academic article or book chapter (see rubric under the 'Assessments' tab on the iLearn site for precise details of what is expected). Reflections must be posted within two weeks of attendance, i.e. for a seminar attended on Thursday 16th April, submission of the reflection is due no later than Thursday 30th April.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the relevant research questions and approaches to research in their chosen discipline area.
- Apply a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills in the preparation of a portfolio documenting their learning.
- Use well developed judgement to responsibly ask research questions.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
FOAR7002 is a year long unit. Students will attend 1 introductory lecture (1.5 hrs), workshops (4) and research seminars (minimum 6) across the entire year and as advised by the Department in which they are enrolled. Students will also develop a program from a list of options that suit their own research needs.
This unit is divided in two larger components: Zone 1 and Zone 2. The first component, Zone 1, comprises attendance at 4 specified Faculty or Department Research Training Workshops, and a minimum of 6 Department Research Seminars. Zone 2, the second component, aims to provide students with flexibility to tailor a program that suits their own needs. Each Department, in close collaboration with the Faculty, has developed a set of activities that aims to increase each student's knowledge of their topic/s of interest as well as enhance student research skills.
In addition to research seminars and workshops, students' options include auditing undergraduate and postgraduate units relevant to their research interests, participating in a reading group, joining a research group, attending conferences and other research events, engaging in scholarship, and/or attend a range of HDR Learning Skills workshops or Library workshops. Students will have a level of flexibility to develop a program that suits their own research needs and, through 4 written reflections, develop a self-reflective narrative about their progress as part of a transition from being an undergraduate coursework student to becoming a postgraduate researcher.
Unit Schedule
There are no set ongoing lectures for this unit. The introductory session aims to introduce students to the unit, activity options and assessment structures. In 2021 this lecture will be:
- Week 1 - Friday, 26 February, 9:30-11 am (21 Wally's Walk, Macquarie Theatre). This will be recorded and posted on the FOAR7002 iLearn site.
The rest of your timetable will be determined by the options you select from within your Department's offering (in consultation with your Department MRes Director or delegate):
- Research Training Workshops: See your Department's section on the FOAR7002 ilearn site for precise details
- Research Seminars x 6: See your Department's section on the FOAR7002 ilearn site and Departmental MRes Directors for precise details
- Other Activities: See your Department's section on the FOAR7002 ilearn site and Departmental MRes Directors for precise details
Faculty and Department-based activities will endeavour to provide online options. Online availability for flexible activities (eg auditing a unit) may vary: check with your Department MRes Director or the unit convenor).
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
The requirements for activities in Zone 1 and Zone 2 have been simplified and the amount of assessment in the unit reduced.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook